EU long-term climate strategy

In November 2018, the European Commission published a proposal for a long-term strategy for climate. In its proposal, the European Commission investigates various scenarios for drastically reducing European greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 (ranging from -80% to net zero emissions). In doing so, it proposes adopting net zero emissions by 2050 as a long-term objective, and provided two scenarios achieving this objective. Based on this analysis, the Commission states that the road to a climate-neutral economy will be based on action along a set of seven strategic building blocks:

Maximizing the benefits of energy efficiency, including zero-emission buildings.

Maximizing the deployment of renewables and the use of electricity to fully decarbonize Europe’s energy supply

Embracing clean, safe and connected mobility

A competitive EU industry and the circular economy as a key enabler to reduce greenhouse gas emissions

The Flemish Region would like to thank the Commission for the work it has done and the fact that the Commission has included two scenarios in its analysis that lead to a net zero emission by 2050. The Flemish Region wishes to analyze which scenario / objective 2050 is ultimately preferred. Firstly, a better insight needs to be gained into the different scenarios, their underlying assumptions and their modeled impact. In addition, the Flemish Region also wants to examine what the expected socio-economic impact is on the various subsectors, and what social costs and benefits the transition can entail.